More warnings of descent into war

The Brussels-based think tank, International Crisis Group (ICG), on Monday added its voice to warnings that Burundi is descending into war. In its latest report entitled “Breaking the Deadlock”, it warned of the stalemate in the Arusha peace process. “There is no ceasefire in sight between the army and rebel groups, and the leadership of transition envisaged at Arusha has still not been chosen,” ICG said. “Moreover, the Implementation and Monitoring Committee (IMC) seems to be ineffective and incapable of fulfilling its mission.” The report noted that the rebels and army were now preparing for a major confrontation. “With security deteriorating, a humanitarian catastrophe underway and political fragmentation in both camps, the limited achievements of the Arusha accord are shrivelling to nothing,” it said.

“It would be counter-productive to press for the implementation of an empty accord,” the report went on. “However, the status quo is just as dangerous and must not be allowed to continue, as the war option becomes more likely. A radical change in the management of the peace process is therefore needed.” ICG issued a series of recommendations including a negotiated power-sharing agreement between the main parties, UPRONA and FRODEBU; revising the format of the IMC; and offering President Pierre Buyoya an “honourable exit strategy”. [For more details go to http://www.intl-crisis-group.org/]